Best Ways to Wear Scarves

Following my blog on choosing and wearing accessories, I wanted to write about various ways in which a scarf can be used as an accessory. I have to say that a scarf is my favourite and most versatile accessory, and one that can effortlessly elevate your outfit.

A scarf can be worn around your neck to keep you warm in winter, or simply draped around your shoulders to keep that evening chill out in summer. A scarf can be used to tie your hair up, to keep it off your face, or wrapped around your neck when the sun sets.

Scarves can be worn casually during the day throughout the year, or worn as accessories to polish your outfit. A scarf is an affordable way to dress your wardrobe and easily give you options to create a different and more glamorous look.

In order for a scarf to give your outfit a more polished look, you have to know how to wear a scarf. There are many shapes and sizes of scarfs and ways of wearing a scarf. As spring/summer is nearly here, let’s look at ways to wear a summer scarf.

In Spring/Summer I would go for a light weight scarf, for example a light pure woollen blend scarf, a chiffon/polyester scarf or a silk scarf. Spring brings the hope of warmer weather, sunshine and flowers. Using scarves with bright trending colours can help lift the mood and put a spring to our step.

As Easter is just a few days away why not choose a bright colourful scarf; that polka dot, tribal, floral, pastel colour with pattern, neutral or a patchwork scarf.

You could try using a scarf tied around your Easter Bonnet. Simply get a straw hat then just wrap the scarf around the bonnet lining the ends up and tie a nice double knot. It’s a simple as that to transform your look!

These are my favourite ways of wearing a scarf:

Going to be out all day but not sure of the weather? Spring time can be warm during the day but cool in the evening. Why not tie a scarf to your handbag and use it as a bag décor during the day and in the evening, simply drape a scarf over your outfit to keep the chill out. This will also add little colour to your outfit.

I also like to refresh my wardrobe without spending a fortune by simply adding a scarf to my existing pieces. By adding a silk or chiffon scarf to my neutral outfits, I can make them look refreshed and trendy. To refresh work outfits I would add a skinny scarf as a tie with my suit, or wearing it in a simple knot over my dress to smarten up my work look.

Have you ever tried using scarf as a necklace? Simply tie knots in your scarf at equal spaces and wear it as a necklace. Or create a beautiful braid by folding your scarf and looping the two ends at the top. Make a basic knot, ensuring you leave enough room to slip the knotted scarf over your head. To braid your scarf use the two ends and one side of your scarf as a middle part and start braiding. Braid it half way down your scarf throw it around your neck and let the ends fall loose and position the braided side left or right – Beautiful!

When going on holiday pack a nice pastel colour scarf (plain or floral). Add this to a T-shirt, or loop a scarf round shorts, jeans or a dress as a belt. I think this ideas really transforms simple day wear. Another option is to fold your scarf and wear it as a head bend to keep hair in place or use it to tie your hair in a pony. Drape it round your head and neck, and wear it with a pair of sunglasses for that film star look.

If going to the beach or by the swimming pool I find taking a large scarf very useful as it can be tied round your neck or wrapped round you as a dress over your swim wear. You can also tie it round your waist as a skirt or sarong.

Internet and Facebook offer many more ways of wearing a scarf. It’s just a matter of matching the right scarf to your outfit and style.

I have included some of my styles below, and also a link to a favourite video saved from Facebook. Hope this inspires you to wear a scarf in different ways, and not just throw it round your neck!

Ethnic Scarf

I would like to add that a scarf is not only a western accessory. A Chuni/Dupaatta also known as a scarf is worn over an ethnic outfit such as Lengha, Sulwar Kamiz, or Anarkali. Ethnic scarves can also be worn in many ways, and some of these scarves can be used with western outfits.

Here is a video link for you, so you can see what I mean.

That’s all for this post. If you liked it, please share it with your friends. If you have any other ideas for wearing your scarves, we would love to hear or see the comments.

A party is something we all look forward to. It’s an opportunity to dress up after all. Whether its a summer party, Garden party, BBQ party, Halloween, Diwali or a Christmas party, we want to look our best. However, it can sometimes be a challenge deciding what to wear. Do you sometimes draw a blank when trying to decide? I certainly do! I am never sure of what to wear, and I am sure it’s the same for some of you too.

Christmas and New Years Eve are fast approaching, so if you are struggling to find something to wear, or you are generally looking for party outfit ideas, here are some suggestions that may help you.

The obvious choices for a Christmas or New year party outfit are the little black dress, a red dress or something lacy, but why not try something different? How about trying a long evening dress, an all in one suit (jumpsuit), or a monochrome dress, accessorised with statement jewellery and a complimentary clutch bag to complete the look.

The type of party outfit you wear will depend on the occasion. Whether it’s a work party, informal night out with friends, a house party or a formal party. Below are some options to get you thinking.

Work Party

When attending a work party, you want to look professional, but still feel stylish. Pick an outfit that you feel is comfortable in, and don’t be afraid to add a pop of colour or piece of statement jewellery.

Try a ruffle shirt with your regular work trousers, and add a bejewelled clutch.

Dress up your monochrome work dress by adding shimmery shoes and statementjewellery.

Why not be brave and wear a blazar with a sequin skirt and high heels.

Wear a fun top with classic pants, or a all in one piece.

You can upgrade a regular work outfit by adding statement jewellery, shimmery pumps, bright high heels, or a brocade blazer to top off your workwear.

House Party

When attending a house party you can agonies for hours over what to wear, so just try to remember that when it comes to house parties there are usually no rules or dress-code (do check with your host though, just to be sure). All you really need to do is to make sure you look fabulous, whilst staying as comfortable as possible.

For a house party, you don’t need to worry too much about what footwear to choose, because you can wear anything from boots to high heels, or those strappy sandals you’ve been wanting to wear for ages. The best thing about house parties is that if you are uncomfortable in any pair of shoes you can simply kick them off!

You can go all out for a house party, or you can go totally casual. Both are acceptable.

Every one else can go in a party dress, but you can still wear a chic pair of jeans and your favourite pair of heels and look fabulous.

If the mood takes you, wear a summer dress and you’ll still be cosy as the house is likely to be warm. You just need to remember a coat or wrap for when you are outside.

You could decide to go all out and wear a glamorous embellished party dress or evening dress and it will be equally acceptable.

Another option for a house party is to wear plazzo pants or harem pants, and dress them up or down as you feel.

Formal or Semi Formal Party

For a formal party you would generally wear something a little dressier than you would wear to a work or house party. Most formal parties are black tie events, where men wear tuxedoes, women wear long dresses, cocktail dresses or party separates. A little black dress is also acceptable attire for a formal party.

Semi formal party wear is a dress down form of formal attire, you do not have to wear a ball gown,but equally should not wear denim or a sundresses.

Wear a long flowing dress, or ball gown if being comfortable is a priority.

Today was the Diwali lights illumination night in Leicester. In the UK, Leicester’s celebration of Diwali is one of the biggest outside of India. The festivities in Leicester are held along Belgrave Road (known as the Golden Mile) in the heart of the city’s Asian community.

The streets and the shops are decorated with lights that stretch across and along Belgrave Road. The lights switch on is accompanied by cultural event programmes, from theatre performance to craft activities, cultural talks and exhibitions on Cossington Street Recreation ground along. There is also spectacular fireworks, which are a traditional part of Diwali celebrations. Over 30,000 people of all faiths attend the switching on of the lights on the Golden Mile. More people come along on the Diwali day itself (on the 7th November this year) to experience the lively street atmosphere, dazzling colourful fashion and gold jewellery, indulge in the mouthwatering food in the finest Indian restaurants and buy the famous Indian sweets and savouries.

So what is Diwali?

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights which is celebrated every autumn.

Diwali is one the most popular festivals of Hinduism, symbolising the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists all over the world. The Diwali celebration lasts for 5 days.

-First day (the start of Diwali) is dedicated to Goddess Laxshmi, the Goddess of prosperity.

-Second day is dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Goddess for abolishing evil.

-Third day – This the Diwali day. Lighting of diyas (candles) takes place. Rangoli (powder art) is used to decorate the ground in front of the houses. Fireworks are let off, and food and sweets are shared with family and friends.

-Fourth day – the start of the Hindu new year.

-Fifth day is the celebrations between brothers and sisters, which is an important function in Hindu culture.

Hindus celebrate Diwali for the return of Hindu God Lord Rama and his wife Sita to their kingdom from 14 year s of exile, having defeated the demon King Ravana. Diwali is also celebrated for Mother Goddess Durga, for destroying a demon called Mahesha.

Though Diwali is also celebrated by the Sikh’s, they are actually celebrating Bandi Chhorh Divas, which means prisoner release day . This happens to be at the same time of the year as Diwali, and is celebrated for the release of the sixth guru Hargobind Shaib from Gwalior Prison in India.

A Diwali festivital not only brings religious rituals and ceremonies, traditions of colourful rangolis, resplendent diyas, mesmerising firecrackers and mouthwatering food. Diwali is also a time of generous gift giving and a massive dose of amusement, laughter and sharing of food with family and friends. All this socialising generates a shopping frenzy for clothes and outfits to wear for the Diwali and New Year functions.

Here are some outfit suggestions for this Diwali.

For those who do not like to wear traditional outfits, why not try a two piece skirt suit, or something different that you can wear with jeans. Complement your jeans with a traditional jacket, or try a bright coloured straight trouser suit to fit in with the festivities.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Diwali and like some of the outfit suggestions above. As always, your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

For those who are not ready, or not even aware of Navratri, here is a brief overview.

Navratri is the festival of nights (lasting nine days). It is celebrated twice in a year with great devotion all over India, and also in parts of other countries where there are Indian communities.

Navratri means nine auspicious nights, and the festival is celebrated for Goddess Durga in her nine different forms on the scheduled nine days of the Hindu calendar. One of the most celebrated festivals amongst Hindus, Navratri symbolises the destruction of the evil, and the triumph of good over evil.

There are two major Navratri’s celebrations; Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in spring (around March ) and Sharad Navratri is celebrated in a big way in Autumn. This year Navratri starts from 10th October to 18th October.

The Navratri celebration and worshipping style varies from state to state in India, and also around the world, but the devotion is same for the festival wherever it is held. It is widely celebrated with great enthusiasm, but sometimes with different names given to the goddess.For example Durga Puja or Jagdamba are used in some places.

This festival is celebrated for nine days by two popular dance forms dandya and graba dance forms. Dandya is performed with two sticks, and Graba is generally with the clap of your hands to the beat of the music. These dances are usually performed in the evening.

Navratri season is eagerly awaited every year, and gives everyone the opportunity to dress in traditional attire. Indian women started to wear different colours on each of the nine days. This trend has become increasingly popular, and is now followed by majority of women during Navratri.

The colours for this year (2018) are as follows:

Day 1 – Royal Blue – represents strong energy and tranquillity. The Goddess will bless the devotees with prosperity and happiness.

Day 2 – Yellow – represents happiness and brings optimism and confidence in life. Meditating in yellow will help in the development of a positive attitude.

Day 3 – Green – represents prosperity, unconditional love and richness. This is the colour of nature, which is calm and gentle. By wearing this colour devotees believe they will improve their relationship.

Day 4 – Grey – will connect you to divine power and protection.

Day 5 – Orange – colour of fame, name and money, and also increase the charisma of your aura.

Day 6 – White – is the symbol of peace, prayer, faith and stability. The Goddess will cleanse the devotees mind and spirit of those wearing this colour on this auspicious day,

Day 7 – Red – the symbol of power, passion and fervour. This is the Goddess’s favourite colour

Day 8 – Sky Blue – represents immensity and faith. This colour helps you in gaining the spiritual awareness.

Day 9 – Pink – represents hope and new beginning.

What to Wear?

For those of you who would like to know about what to wear for Navratri, I have put together some ideas and tips. These can be found below.

You can wear a variation of Channiya Choli, Salwar Kameez, Saree, or a Lengha Suit and Long Dress.

If you are going to weara Channiya Choli or Lengha Suit, wear a comfortable one so that your outfit does not get in your way whilst dancing. Remember to pin your duppatta the right way so that it doesn’t fall off your shoulder, meaning you have to keep adjusting it time and again.

The length of your outfit should be just below or above your ankles so that it won’t get under your feet while dancing, as this dance is generally performed in bear feat. If you are going to wear shoes make sure they are flat, or you can wear mojari (traditional Indian shoes). These are comfortable, easy to wear, and are available in various colours to match your outfit.

Generally, outfits for this festival are very bright and colourful, full of heavy embroidery and glass work, and worn with a contrasting colour choli (blouse) to stand out. Here are some ideas for those who would like to wear a simple yet elegant outfit, but still want to stand out from the crowd.

After a short break for my summer holiday, I’m pleased to be able to share my latest blog post with you.

This week I thought I’d write about autumn fashion and wrapping up warm. We have had a wonderful summer, but as the days go by and the sun is shining, the mornings and nights are getting cooler and autumn will soon be upon us.

As the temperature starts to slowly fall it can be quite hard to get outfits just right. On unusually warm days that you might forget to wear a jacket or an extra layer, only to find that the temperature drops quickly as the afternoon draws to a close. Sometimes you add too much and end up being too hot, and at other times you don’t add enough and end up being cold.

However, if you have the right accessories it can be easier than you think to get it right and look stylish.The must have accessory to finish off your silhouette, by day or night is ascarf, stole, shawl or a wrap. All are a great final touches for a stylish look, and make perfect companions to elegant evening dresses. At the same time, they cover the shoulders, upper arms, neck and back; helping to keep you warm on cooler evenings. A wrap made of cashmere or wool may also be worn over your jacket to wonderful effect.

How to best wear these items? The simple thing to do is to carry a medium sized, matchable colour scarf either in or tied to your bag, to protect your neck should it turn windy or chilly. In one of my my previous posts Best Ways to Wear a Scarf I gave you some tips on scarves. Scarves are a stylish addition to your outfit, and an excellent way to keep you warm, but sometimes they aren’t enough and something a little warmer may be needed. This is when a stole, shawl or a wrap is perfect.

A stole is typically narrower than a shawl, and is simpler in construction than a cape. It is usually made of expensive fabrics such as fur, cashmere, silk, wool or velour, wrapped and carried about the shoulders or arms, over a party dress or a ball gown.

When it comes to casual dressing there are plenty of ways to go. You can knot it, drape it or simply let it flow.

A Shawl is a larger rectangular/triangular/square piece of fabric, generally draped over the shoulders or wrapped around the body. The shawl can be drapedto accent an outfit for style purpose, or to cover bare shoulders on formal attire. Shawlsare great for stye, but also to help keep you warm on cooler autumn days.

Why not wear it as a cape, then drape it over one shoulder to look super chic.

For a another stylish look, simply put your shawl around your neck, leave the ends hanging down, and then belt it. It almost look like you are wearing a sweater.

Just let your shawl hang on your shoulders, or wrap it around you to keep warm and still look stylish.

A shawl can also be worn over your Anarkali or Kurti as a scarf, and used to keep the chill off when needed.

A wrap is a more recent fashion term, and used primarily to describe shawls and stoles. Effectively, it’s a word used to describe any loose outer garment, or piece of material that can be wrapped around the upper body. Wraps are easy to style. For a simple look, you can drape the wrap over your shoulders and arms, for a pretty cover and a little extra warmth.

Wrap it around your shoulders, or add a colourful scarf on your wrap for an elegant look.

I hope you liked this post about styling your outfit for autumn. If so, please share with your friends!

It’s the Indian festival time of Rakhi (Raksha Bhandan) on 26th of August. For those who do not celebrate and do not know what it means, this blog will give you a general idea of Raksha Bandan (Rakhi). A Rakhi is a threaded bracelet, often made of silk including gold and silver threads.

The relationship between Indian siblings is extraordinary, and is given importance in every part of the world. However, when it comes to India the relationship becomes all the more important, and there is the festival called “Raksha Bandhan” (Rakhi) dedicated to sibling love.

As mentioned above, the festival is made up of two words, namely “Raksha” and “Bandhan”. As per the Sanskrit terminology, the occasion means “the tie or knot of protection”, where “Raksha” stands for the protection and “Bandhan” signifies the verb to tie. Together, the festival symbolizes the eternal love of the brother-sister relationship, but this does not only apply to blood relationships. It is also celebrated amongst cousins, sisters and sisters-in-law (Bhabhi), fraternal aunts (Bua) and their nephews (Bhatija), and other such relations.

Therefore, Raksha Bandhan typically means the sign and bond of protection. It is a much-awaited Hindu festival that bonds and strengthens the relationships between brothers and sisters of all ages. Rakhi is observed on the final day of the month of Sharavana according to the Hindu calendar, which falls in August every year

On this day, a sister ties a rakhi around the wrist of her brother, offering protection and prayer for his prosperity, health and well-being. The brother in return offers a gift, and promises to protect his sister from any harm under any circumstances. The festival is also celebrated between brothers and sisters belonging to distant family members, relatives or cousins. Extended families are very important to Indian culture.

Around July & early August, sisters begin to buy rakhis for their brothers that are specially decorated for the occasion. The sisters look out for special rakhis incorporating colourful threads, silver rakhis, bracelets, amulets and other mens’ wrist accessories for the occasion.

On the day of Raksha Bandhan, brothers and sisters wear new clothes and observe the festival in the presence of their parents, elders and grandparents. The ritual involves lighting a diya (a type of earthen lamp) that represents the fire deity, and performing of Aarti (a type of blessing using a candle) by the sisters. They perform prayers for the well-being of their brother and apply a “tilak” (a red dot) on the forehead of their brothers. Along with this, a portion of sweet dessert or dry fruits is fed to the brother, and finally the rakhi is tied around the wrist of brother.

After the rakhi is tied around the wrist, the brother will offer a gift to his sister. The gift could be in the form of money, a dress, a piece of jewellery, or any other such present. For brothers who want to buy gifts for their sisters, Laality has some great ideas in the accessories section of the website.

It is not always possible to tie the rakhi on a brothers wrist personally if the sister and brother are living in different towns and countries. Often the sister will send a rakhi and a card to the brother, sending her blessing for protection and well being. The rakhi will then be tied on his wrist by his wife or a cousin.

I personally can not tie a rakhi on my brothers wrists due to the distance of our dwellings, but I am very lucky this year to be spending raksha bandhan with both my brothers. This will truly be a special moment for me.

For all the ladies who are celebrating this day and have the opportunity to tie rakhi on your brothers wrists, here are some dress ideas for you to wear for the day. You can see these and more on the Laality website.

Most of us have different clothes for different purposes, and this takes up an enormous amount of wardrobe space. The problem becomes even worse when storing both western and Indian style clothing.Many modern women like wearing western style clothing for its comfort, style and convenience, but sometimes would also like to wear Indian style clothing when the mood or occasion fits. The many different choices can lead to confusion and much wasted time when getting ready. So how do we overcome the problem of overspill in our wardrobe, without sacrificing our desire to look right in a variety of situations?

Usually, a capsule consists a set number of clothing items that are worn on a mix and match basis for an entire season before starting the next capsule. Clothing is only added to the selection at the start of each capsule season, encouraging you to remix and re-wear rather than shopping for new pieces every week or so.

According to the many articles on the internet, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothes and accessories that include only items considered essential. This collection of clothes can be used to form the basis of outfits for all occasions.

As this blog is generally about Indo-Western wear, I’ve offered some recommendations and tips below to help simplify your wardrobe, and use the fusion of both western and Indian outfits to create your Indo-Western capsule.

We all have different types of bodies, lifestyle and tastes, therefore there is no one perfect capsule wardrobe that will work for all. You will need to experiment a little until you figure out what works best for your taste and lifestyle, keeping your body shape in mind.

A capsule Wardrobe is typically built with 33 basic items, but as we are creating a fusion of indo-western I suggest starting with a small number of your favourite pieces and colours of clothing. Try the following items of clothing, which can be mixed and matched to make up your fusion wardrobe:

Jeans, trousers, Indian trousers such as plazzo (wide leg trousers), dhoti, herem pants, and any other trousers you would wear.

Dresses, tops and t-shirts (both Indian and Western).

Skirts (including Indian Lengha).

Blazers, Jackets and stoles

Jewellery

Accessories – bags, scarfs

Shoes – Flats, heels, boots

From the above list, pick 5 to 6 of your favourite items from eachcategory. This will give you 35 to 42 items to try and work with until you are comfortable and find your style. This can then be broken down further if you wish, to around 33 items.

Just because you have chosen your favourite pieces, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up your remaining items. Box these items, and hide them for a while. You can then revisit your boxed items after 3 or 4 months and swap any items as you feel necessary, or can give them to charity if you decide you no longer need them.

Here is some examples of fusion capsule wardrobe

Jeans are one of the basic items that can be used for your capsule wardrobe. Jeans can be worn with a shirt, t-shirt, jacket (Indian or a western style), and can also be worn with Kurti tops, Indian long tops or even with an anarkali.

Choose Plazzo pants (wide leg trousers) or a Dhoti, and create a fusion look by adding a shirt, tank top or a long anarkali top.

For Dresses and skirts, you could wear your Kurti as a dress, or add a legging to your western dress to give it an ethnic look. Skirts can be worn with a tank top for a western look, with an ethnic top such as a lengha to create that perfect indo-western outwear style.

Jackets and stoles can be added to your outfits to create an elegant look.

Jewellery, bags and shoes can be added to your taste, but I would suggest going for simple bracelets and earrings or jumka earrings, which will go with both western and Indian wear.

Bags and shoes in neutral colours will go with all your outfits. Go for a Tote bag, shoulder bag or hobo bag and a couple of clutch bags. I personally would go for high heels, but if you are not high heel fan, block heels or wedges could be chosen for a more comfortable wear. Flats and maybe a pair of kolopuri can also be included, as these will look fab with jeans.

Why not give it a go, and create an indo-western capsule wardrobe. Overcome the overspill in your wardrobe by creating your perfect capsule.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this post, and that it has given you the confidence to create your own capsule wardrobe.

Have you ever wondered what to wear looking at your body shape? I personally have moments of uncertainty after buying an item of clothing. When it comes to looking good its not your size or shape but its the fit of your cloths that matters. It’s not about wearing the latest fashion trends, but it should be about choosing that suit you, and that you feel comfortable in. Body shape tends to influence what people wear.

To use Clothes to your advantage, you first need to know your basic body shape, and understanding the type of clothes that will accentuate your good features. You can then choose clothes, and dress in a way that suits you. By following some simple guidelines, you will not only be comfortable, but will feel

more confident about your look.

To determine your basic body shape, take a look at the chart below. These are the most common body shapes.Check to see which one most closely matches yours.

Apple Shape (Triangle Downwards)

An apple is used to describe a person who has broader shoulders and bust than they do hips.

That is “top heavy” meaning you have a wide torso, broad shoulders and a full bust, waist and upper back. Ladies with an apple shape tend to have thinner arms, legs and hips.

To dress an apple shaped body, draw attention away from your middle. To distract people from your middle, direct attention elsewhere or create more definition on your waistline.

-Avoid wearing salwar with tighter cuffs, which will make you look fuller.

Ladies with an apple shaped body generally have a great bust, and great pair of legs. Showing off your bust will emphasise your most amazing feature, and will draw attention away from your middle. Try the following ideas.

-Wear V necks, plunging necklines or A line dresses to lengthen your body.

-Wear shirts or dresses that flow from under your bust expanding at the waist.

-To define your figure ,wear a shirt or dress that you can tie at the waist.

-Wear a long flowing top that falls below your bottom or tops with flare or cuff sleeves.

-Tops with shoulder details like sequins or flowers will work well.

-Wear plaza suits or patiala salwar (which has a heavier bottom), giving you a balanced look.

-Go for a masakali dress instead of an anarkali, and avoid heavy fitted kurtis. Also try a short jacket to style gowns.

Pear Shape (Triangle Upwards)

Ladies with a pear body shape havehip a measurement greater than their bust measurement.

Pear shape bodies come in all weights and heights. To be classified as pear shape, your body’s biggest measurement will be the hips followed by the rib cage and chest, then the waist. The pear shape is often confused with the hourglass figure, because they are quite similar.

To draw attention away from your hips:

-Avoid tops that are too long or too short.

-Avoid wearing skinny trousers/jeans (although high waist jeans/trousers will look great, as will a boot cut flare. This as this will make your legs look long and lean).

-Avoid cargo pants, funky pockets or embroidery on pants.

-Avoid dresses that are tight and stick to your hips.

Those with pear shaped bodies should wear clothes that minimise the hip and thigh area, and wear designs that will draw attention to the upper part of the body. Another area to focus on is below the knees, to draw attention outward and lengthen that central area.

-As you are mainly trying to draw attention upwards, wear shirts that have a dressed up neckline, or wider neck holes dropping over your shoulders (off shoulders).

-Or you can wear loose tops such as Ponchos or baby doll tops.

-Draw attention to the upper half of your body by choosing, slim, fitted tops, button down shirts and cardigans

-Wear statement accessories to draw attention to the top half of your body.

-If you are bold, wear bright colour shoes which will draw attention away from unflattering regions of your body.

-You can wear straight, A line, pencil skirt, dropped waist line or biased skirts, pleated, waistbands and full skirts, All will work so long as they have waist definition.

-Any type of trousers or jeans will work whether they are long, short, skinny, wide, pleated waist, with or without turn ups etc.

-Wear belts to accentuate the waist.

-With Indian wear there are almost no limits for an hourglass body shape, but it’s best to avoid overly clingy or baggy styles if you want to make the most of your body shape.

Straight or Banana Shape ( Rectangular)

A woman with a rectangular shaped body has waist measurement that is less than 9 inches smaller than the hip or bust measurement. Approximately a third of all women fall into this shape category. The rectangular body shape is evenly proportioned, but the waist is not as defined. Ladies with this body shape may have wide shoulders and chunky calves.

With this body shape, it’s best to avoid the following styles.

-Cropped tops that elongate the torso

-High waisted pants.

-Straight line garments from heat to toe

Instead focus on wearing shapely garments. These help to create a waist line, giving a slimmer and more curvaceous look.

-Wear tops with cross over, v-neck, cowl neck, square neck or rounded neck. Any of these necklines would be a great choice.

-Shirts with extra darts or pleating at the back will create more upper body width, preventing pulling at the front buttons.

-A high waist definition in a dress will work to make your waist look smaller.

-Most pants and jeans work well with rectangular shape. Slim, straight, bootleg or wide leg all work well.

-Tailored jackets work well, and leaving your jacket open gives your top the chance to create slimming, vertical colour block for a great look.

-Have fun with belts to create curves.

-For Indio-Western, go for Kurtis and tunics with a longer flare. An Anrkali with emperor line and v neck will work well. Go for full length with ample flare, with a waistline in gathers or pleats, and match this with crop-top style tops.

I hope the above will help you determine your body shape, and give you some confidence when deciding what styles to wear. However, do remember that everyone is different ,and you do not have to stick to the guidelines to dress well. My suggestion is to at least try to understand your body shape, and then use this knowledge to help you choose your clothes. The result should be that you look good and feel confident in your outfit.

Hope you all had a good weekend. This week’s blog is about Fast Fashion.

So What is Fast Fashion?

Fast Fashion is a contemporary term used by fashion retailers to express that designs move from catwalk to market quickly, to capture current fashion trends.Fast fashion clothing collections are based on the most recent fashion trendspresented at fashion week in both the spring and the autumn of every year.

The focus of fast fashion is on speed and low costs, in order to deliver frequent new collections inspired by catwalk looks or celebrity styles. With new trends coming out every week, the goal of fast fashion is for consumers to buy as many garments as possible as quickly as possible.

Fast fashion merchandise is typically priced much lower than the competition, operating on a business model of low quality/high volume. Some high street retailers use this concept, with new deliveries coming into their stores on a weekly basis. The designers of these companies create new looks on a weekly basis, with the intention of making customers feel off trend after just the first wear of an item.

The constant flow of new designs on offer in the shops (and online) makes it difficult for us shoppers to avoid the temptation of wanting to always be seen in the latest fashion trend, rather than loving the clothes we have, and wearing them over and over for a long time.

But have you considered the impact of fast fashion on the environment? There are many articles describing its negative impact on the environment, due to the need to reduce costs and time taken from design to shop floor. Not only that, the increased amount of clothes people consume also has consequences for the environment. Our dumping grounds grow bigger, and this is in part due to our cast off clothes that are still good to wear – just no longer seen as fashionable. According to the statistics, the average UK consumer sends 30kg of clothing and textiles to landfill each year, contributing massively to waste and pollution.

So are you a victim of Fast Fashion? Want to make a change? If so, here are a few simple tips.

Stay away from the fast fashion trend

Those who follow the fast fashion trend tend to get bored with their clothes quickly, because they go out of fashion soon after the first wear. Their purchases are worn fewer times, and the urge to buy more new clothes is constant. It is a vicious cycle of consumerism. By staying away from fast fashion, you will learn to love your cloths more, and be more selective when buying.

Restrict your Wardrobe

It might be a good idea to restrict the quantity of clothes in your wardrobe to afew favourite items. This has the benefit of making it easier to choose clothes when getting dressed, and knowing exactly what you have and what you need when you go shopping.

Buy Basic

Buying basic does not mean you are not on trend, and it does not mean you buy cheap. By putting together a few simple items that coordinate and fit well, you can create some very original outfits.With basic items you can do a lot of mix and match, and create a capsule wardrobe. Buying more durable basics of better quality is worth it. Such items will generally last much longer, and look and feel better when you wear them. Because of this, you will wear them many more times, rather than throwing them away after a couple of outings.

Buy Better Quality

When you shop for pieces of clothing, look for better quality items. Better quality item may be a little more expensive at the time, but will be worth it in the long run. Consider it an investment in yourself. Remember that adding a few classic pieces of jewellery will make your outfit stand out.

Give/send to Charity Shops

If you get tired of your clothes, instead of putting them in the bin, why not wash them and give them away to someone who needs them, or donate them to a charity shop.

Most of us are guilty of buying more things than we need, so why not make a change? Considerthe alternative to a life of buying cheap and often, and start to love what you already have. Mix and match your garments to create new styles and learn to love your clothes, no matter how long you have had them for. Buying quality items doesn’t need to be too expensive, and can transform the way you feel about yourself when you wear them.

I have attached some pictures of capsule wardrobes from Pinterest, to give you some ideas for your own mix and match wardrobe.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the sunny weather. The beautiful weather we have has brought on the BBQ season, and my nephew’s barbeque party for his wife’s baby shower inspired me to write a little about what to wear at such an event.

Barbeque parties in the summer are one of the most fun events to look forward to. It is almost always difficult to choose what to wear as the weather in this country can be unpredictable, and will dictate what you wear. Even though it’s a summer barbeque, it’s not guaranteed to be hot and sunny!

The most important elements for a great barbeque party are the food and the drinks.

It is, however, also important to consider what to wear, so here are a few suggestions for putting together your outfit.

Comfort – As this is a friends and family informal social gathering, consider something loose and comfortable.

Weather – Make sure to check out the weather forecast beforehand, as this will play a big part in your choice of outfit. Wear something which you can layer if the temperature is likely to vary, or carry a stole or jacket.

Style – Even though this is an informal gathering, this doesn’t mean you should turn up in your joggers! Aim to put together an outfit which is both comfortable and stylish at the same time.

Shoes – You are going to be standing a lot, wondering around as you chat with your friends and checking out the food and drinks table.Your best of choice of footwear would be flat sandals, stylish sneakers, ballet flats, block heels or low wedges.

I have put together a selection of outfits below, taking into account the Indo-Western look, to give you some ideas if you are attending an Indian family barbecue.

You can’t go wrong with a white dress. On a hot summer’s day, a short white lace dress or cute cut out silk dress is just a perfect choice. You may want to wear a comfortable kaftan to keep cool, or a beaded tunic dress for a chic look.

If the weather looks like it may turn cloudy, pairing your dress with a jacket which will give you a glam look.

For an Indo-Western look, this cotton aztec top with white dhoti would be perfect.

A shirt over a cropped trousers, or checked shirt and a crop top paired with jeans are always barbeque friendly.

Or wear a Kurti top over your jeans, or a loose plazzo pant with crop top for a fab Indo-Western look.

How about going to the BBQ in a long dress. These 100% Rayon long dresses will definitely be comfortable and cool.

The above are just a few suggestions. Don’t forget to take your sunglasses and wear comfortable shoes. If your are carrying a bag, a large straw or jute bag or top handle bag will work well.

I hope you all had a lovely relaxing bank holiday weekend and enjoyed the weather. The warmer weather certainly helps lift spirits! I love this time of year, when we finally get to say goodbye to our winter warmers and replace them with more romantic, feminine and chic looks.

If you had chance to read my blog on styling your western wear, you will know that my search for finding exciting styles took us to the UK’s largest fashion trade exhibition – MODA UK, which is known as the number one meeting point for the UK fashion industry. This event offers visitors and exhibitors a full programme of events including catwalk shows, showcasing key trends and brands from across the show.

MODA inspired us to introduce some rather special western dresses to our collection of Indo-western collection, to give you as a customer a choice of both western and indo-western wear. Our aim is to help make your decision-making a little easier, and alleviate that stress of walking round the shops hours on end.

Whilst at MODA we came across a range of couture dresses and gowns by Loré, and were really impressed by their Spanish design inspired range (I have always loved the style and presence of prom/evening dresses and gowns). I found so many adorable looks, colours, prints and styles that you may not have come across. I love them all!

Let me introduce you to the the Loré Group.

Inspired by today’s high fashion, the Loré group has designed a range of elaborate evening dresses using luxurious fabrics such as fancy lace, 2-tone velour and novelty satins in order to reinstate the glamorous look for the new age of evening fashion.

Loré has created an exceptional range, merged together with precision styling and skilled craftsmanship. The range is an inspiration to dress uniquely for different occasions, complimenting all type of silhouettes and fits.

Below are some of my favourites.

What should you wear at a black tie event? Black tie event means dinner suits for the gentlemen and full length dress for the ladies. The ladies have the opportunity to really glam up, so why not go for it and wear a full length evening gown? Make an impression with a sexy open back, and a full length satin skirt with embroidered and embellished bodice.

Or look completely glamorous, and complement your gentleman’s outfit with this beautifully fitted net overlay long evening dress with embroidery and embellishment. This dress is my absolute favourite. It looks spectacular when worn!

Prom season is almost upon us, and this two piece dress will rock the red carpet and create a youthful yet elegant vibe at homecoming and prom events. The two piece design gives an amazing look, with the perfect crop top and just the right amount or skin peeking out above the flowing skirt . It can also double up as a home coming dress.

Going out for a special occasion? Want to look glam and chic? This high low halter neck dress with floral print on lining and midi skirt on inside will undoubtedly be a look to remember. What a way to make an entrance!

Loré had such stand out pieces at the exhibition that I could not resist to but to introduce the range to Laality.

The piece below really shone when worn by the model. An illusion V neckline is all it takes to add a voluptuous look to an already romantic evening gown, with a split front design adding a touch of feminine charm to the dress. The stunning open back is sexy, and makes a bold statement at any occasion.

The gown below is another of the 2018 Loré collection. Fabulously feminine and floral patterned, this floral print is embellished with diamante. The style is very different from the above collection, with its V neck, sleeveless design and overlay skirt in the same printed fabric. The detail on the dress is beautifully delicate, yet elaborate and stunning.

Laality is delighted to be working with Loré, and to offer the Loré couture collection of dresses on the Laality website. The above styles and more are available to view and order on the website.

If you are interested and fascinated by the luxury and creative design of the evening/prom dresses and would like to learn more, take a look at www.laality.co.uk. I’m sure you’ll be as impressed as we were!

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog last week on Gujarati Wedding Ceremonies. This week I’m writing about casual outfits.

Do you have a hard time finding an outfit that’s comfortably casual yet totally stylish?

Perhaps it’s that you don’t necessarily want to be wearing dressy outfits all the time, but still want to be stylish when dressed casually. Maybe it’s that you just want to go out shopping in your casuals, but still want to look chic just in case you bump into someone you know.

Dressy outfits can make you feel a little out of place when attending casual functions such as birthday parties, or when going out to meet friends for a cup of coffee. Sometimes smart casual is the way to go, but many of us have a bit of a confidence crisis when trying to pull it off. Let’s take a look at some core chic outfits, and find some basics that can be worn casually to help form a casual wardrobe.

In this week’s blog I have chosen my favourite basic casual items, Jeans and leggings, and below are some ways in which I like to wear them as part of my casual outfits, and some further ideas for you to try. I’ve also added some Pinterest pictures to give you a few more tips on how you can assemble casual but stylish outfits for when going out.

Most Popular Basic item – Jeans

Jeans are one of the most versatile basic casual items, and my favourite. If I could, I would wear jeans for pretty much all of my everyday wear. These days jeans are acceptable attire for almost any occasion. Jeans are perfect for a trip to the beach or Sunday afternoon stroll, or you could even wear a smart pair for a formal occasion. You just need to follow a few simple rules when dressing up your jeans in different ways to create a chic and stylish look. Here are some ideas to show you what I mean.

Try pairing a white button shirt with your jeans, carry a shoulder bag and and maybe add a statement neck piece, or you can tuck your shirt in to give your outfita more formal look.

Wear a smart silk top over a pair of skinny jeans. This will lend your jeans a more sophisticated, semi-formal look.

Pair your Jeans with Stilettos. This gives you an elegant look, without appearing too formal. Or wear a pair of high heeled boots for added drama.

Going shopping? Want to wear pumps or trainers for comfort, but still want to look stylish at the same time? How about throwing on a blazer combined with a silk scarf in a lose knot round your neck ? This will instantly add polish to slouchy jeans.

For a formal look why not wear an embellished Jacket with your jeans, and a necklace to show off your t-shirt.

How about carrying a statement bag to formalise a casual item like jeans and all the eyes will be on the bag. No one will take any notice of your jeans.

Don’t forget you can also buy maternity jeans, so there is no excuse not to wear them! Pair them with a stretch T and blazer for a smart casual look.

These days jeans are also acceptable attire for ethnic functions, and can be dressed up with a garments such as Long embroidered tops, or chiffon or silk kurti tops instead of western shirts and blouses or with a long anarkali top.

I hope you are a jeans person and the above suggestions will help to style your jeans. If you are not so much a fan of jeans, how about you let go of them and seize a pair of leggings? No matter how you feel about leggings now, after styling them you will love to make a pair of leggings part of your wardrobe

Leggings

Leggings can be bought in many different colours, fits, style and fabrics.Leggings can be as versatile as jeans, and are easy to style for casual day wear, dining out, a night out with the girls, or for just lounging around the house. What could possibly be more comfortable and chic than a pair of leggings?

One of the simplest ways to style your leggings is to pair them with a long chunky sweater and a pair of boots for a casual shopping day.

If you are going out for the day and want to look a little more formal, why not try wearing a shirt and jumper, throw on a blazer and match with a pair of long boots. This will complement the slimming effect of the leggings and create an edgy look.

Leggings can also be worn with a mini skirt or a pair of shorts. A mini skirt or shorts paired with leggings is a great fashion combination, especially during the cold season as leggings are much warmer than a pair of tights.

For those more conservative, a tunic with it’s longer back is a great way to style leggings. These days leggings are also worn as a substitute for Indian style trousers, and it is becoming more common for them to be worn with a long Kurti top, or even with an Anarkali top.

Leggings are more popular than ever, and are worn most days of the week by many women – especially around the house.Whether you are lounging around or carrying out house work, leggings are a comfortable and stylish option. I imagine that most of you ladies reading this blog will own a pair of leggings. Just remember that they don’t just have to be for lounging around the house in. They can also be a stylish addition to your wardrobe.

This blog is has suggested just a few ways to style your jeans or leggings. If it has inspired you to try something new, that’s great. There are many more ways of styling these two basic items of your wardrobe, so don’t be afraid to experiment a little.. You just have to try a few different combinations to see which is the right style for you. So Ladies, go and find that style of yours!

Hope everyone had a lovely last weekend and managed to enjoy the sun. Looking out of the window the weather has changed again, the sun has disappeared and it’s all gloomy. There’s still lots to be cheerful and happy about. Indian wedding season is fast approaching, and we have all those festivities and weddings to attend. With that in mind, this week I would like to talk about outfits for Wedding Ceremonies.

If you are attending an Indian wedding and you have not been to one before, it can be quite daunting. The most difficult decision for us ladies is deciding what to wear, particularly as we do not want to clash with the bride and groom’s family outfits. Another challenge is that Indian weddings are not a one day event; the celebrations can last for a whole week. This can mean deciding on as many as 5 to 6 outfits! As I am Gujarati, let me talk a little bit about Guju Weddings and outfits you can wear at each ceremony.

Please note that traditions differ from family to family and of course by religion. The following is solely based on my own personal experiences of Gujarati Hindu weddings.

Engagement (Chandlo)

Chandlo (applying vermilion mark on the forehead) announces the acceptance of the alliance between the two families. Exchange of engagement rings and blessings and token of gifts from the family members to the bride and groom, and marking their foreheads with vermilion. As this is very much a close family affair, you can wear a simple outfit or a saree. If it is a summer wedding, I think a pastel colour saree or an anarkali would complement the occasion

Mendi (Henna party)

This takes place generally two days before the wedding. The bride has henna applied to her hands, lower legs feet in intricate patterns and details, and according to custom the groom’s initial (usually first initial) is incorporated in the design, which he then must find on the wedding night.

The event is a big celebration, marking the start of the wedding festivities to which all family and friends are invited, and everyone has an opportunity to have henna applied to their palms (mainly women).

When washed off, henna leave a deep orange/red pattern on the skin, but if this gets on to your cloths it may leave a permanent stain. Therefore, decide to wear something comfortable so that you don’t have to touch or rearrange your outfit whilst you have henna applied to your hands.

Why not wear a trouser suit or a pair of jeans with Kurti top? If you want to be a little dressy, a plazzo pant will just be perfect.

Pre – Wedding Ceremonies – Vidhi

Vidhi generally takes place a day before the wedding, and consists of three different ceremonies on the same day. The Ceremonies are Mandva Mahurat (Blessings of Mother Earth) immediately followed by Griha Shanti (Blessings of all the nine planets) , Pithi (Haldi) and and finally Mameru or Mosaalu (Receiving gifts from the Maternal Uncle.

Without going too deeply into the details of the other two ceremonies, Pithi (Haldi) is the ceremony where you need to be careful about what you wear, as this this ceremony consists of applying sandal wood & turmeric paste with other herbs on the bride or the groom’s arm’s, legs, face and so on. If you are going to take part in this ceremony, it is important that you are careful not to get the paste on your clothes. It will stain! As this ceremony can get a little boisterous, I suggest you take care in choosing what you are going to wear. My advice would be to not wear something too dressy or expensive. Avoid wearing skirts or lehengas with excessive material, as this will get in your way if you are actively participating in the ceremony.

These days the above ceremony is followed by a pre-wedding party, which is also referred as Sangeet. Sangeet is a ceremony on its own, in which ladies would traditionally get together every night for seven consecutive days before the wedding and sing wedding songs.

The pre wedding party consists of a lot of food, drinks and dancing till early hours of the morning. So what do you wear? Of course you want to dress up for the occasion, and want to look classy and stylish, but you will also want to be comfortable. Sangeet is the ideal opportunity to go all out and wear lots of bling! Do remember that you will be dancing throughout the evening, so choose an outfit that allows you to wear low heel shoes, or shoes which are not going get caught if you are to wear a long skirt or a dress. After all , you will be on your feet for the majority of the event

The Wedding

The wedding ceremony is of course the most import event of all the wedding proceedings. The day is filled with plenty of rituals that can go on for over 3 to 4 hours.

The Bride usually wears a red saree (red being the most auspicious colour in Indian culture) with the palav (the end of the saree that drapes over the shoulder) at the front.

Designer lehengas are also popular these days. The groom will usually wear a traditional dhoti Kurta (a kind long silk shirt) or Sherwani (long silk jacket with pyjama style trousers) for the ceremony.

Guests make an extra effort to dress up for this occasion. You want to be comfortable, but at the same time you want to look smart. Choose a saree, lehenga or an anarkali suit which is suitably festive. Try not to choose black or white, as these colours are not traditionally worn at an Indian wedding. Try to avoid wearing red, as the bride will be wearing an ensemble with lots of red in it and you will clash (unless, of course, you know that the bride will be wearing a different colour). On the day of her wedding its best to let the bride shine.

Do not forget your hair, make up and accessories. Jewellery is a key focus for many women attending a wedding. Choose a statement necklace with earrings that emphasise it. Complimentary stacked bangles will complete your outfit. As a guest it is recommended that you go for an understated but elegant look.

Wedding Reception

Last but not least, the wedding reception is a formal party that presents plenty of opportunity to mingle with other guests, and also presents an opportunity for you to wear your best party outfit.

While this is the time to wear your designer outfits and the latest styles, keep in mind that you do not want to outshine the bride. Having said that, this is the time for bringing out your embellished gowns, saree gowns and lehengas. Dress to impress!

So that was a very simple overview of a typical Gujarati wedding process, with some tips on how to dress for the various stages. I hope you found it interesting, and maybe even useful for an upcoming event.

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